Letters to the Editor

Alisal students win

The big winners on election night are the children the Alisal School District.

Congratulations to Noemi Armenta, Maricela Cruz and Guadalupe Guzman, a fantastic group of leaders who will bring stability to the Alisal School District. I am proud of the overwhelming support for these fine individuals. The community has sent a clear message that voters do not fear a small group of fanatics whose agenda is to bully and intimidate their way into public office.

Kudos to the voters, now it's time to get to work and safeguard the future of the children of the Alisal Union School District "Godspeed."

Raul Sanchez

Salinas

Oldtown merchants, take note

We volunteer at the First Methodist Church. The people who run the programs and the people who need the programs bless us beyond words. Are all the people in need struggling with addictions? No. Some are families that have lost jobs or are living on a very low income. Some are single mothers with children to feed. Some are mentally challenged, some are elderly people who just want to to talk to someone, some are veterans who fought for our freedom and, yes, some are struggling with addiction.

There will always be people in need. Has been for centuries before us and will be when we are gone.

Trying to close any program like the Methodist Church or Dorothy's Kitchen will solve no problem. These are organizations that are needed in Salinas. Homeless people have just as much right to breathe this air as anyone else. Because we are fortunate enough to live in America, we should remember that the rights we are blessed with are for all, not for just a few or, should I say, the Oldtown merchants.

Call a meeting and work on coming up with some solution that will benefit all involved, because if you think your secret meetings and backhanded antics will stop people from walking on what you believe are your streets, you are wrong.

See what happens if these type programs are closed. What next? How about the park on Market Street or the bus stop benches where they sit or why not close the streets to Oldtown and require a drivers license with an address to enter.

Probably 75 percent of people living in Salinas are one or two paychecks away from being homeless unless they got some help. Probably some of your own employees.

We won't stop shopping on Main Street because of homeless people but we will if we have to deal with ruthless, uncaring shop owners.

Where do you fit in: problem makers? Or solution finders?

Bruce & Norma Kingston

Salinas

Collapse of monetary system

The U.S. dollar is the global currency. In short, other countries must purchase U.S. dollars to purchase global items such as gold and oil. Everything is based on the value of our currency. Few know this nor care.

Currently, the U.S. dollar is dropping in value due to our government's financial debt and practice of printing and borrowing more money to pay debt. The U.S. is the only nation allowed to print money. Since 2010, the dollar has devalued 10 percent and is dropping. China is phasing out the U.S. dollar and will soon not be taking our printed cash.

It's the first step in the financial crises we face.

Our government is corrupt, it spends what it does not have and this must stop. It must live within its means and shrink fast. Food, fuel, everything will go up in the future due to inflation unchecked. This will be far worse than the 2008 crisis. If the U.S. dollar is no longer the world reserve currency, we citizens will pay the price. Look at Greece for a clue.

Patrick Askew

Gonzales

Veterans as electeds our best hope

This Veterans' Day, let's all put down our cellphones, iPads, and designer coffees to truly honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.

There are many reasons why our military members and their families are considered one of the most respected groups in our society; and although there are over 20 million veterans in our country, there are relatively few among current public officials. Recruiting and electing honorably discharged veterans is our best hope for restoring the integrity, honor, leadership and patriotism for which real American heroes have fought and died. Join others who know character still counts.

R.P. Huff

Salinas

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Letters to the Editor

The big winners on election night are the children the Alisal School District.